The neem tree is originally grown in India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives and it’s been part of traditional remedies for around 5000 years. Also known as Azadirachta Indica or Mimba, it’s widely used in Ayurvedic (or ancient traditional Indian) medicine. Not only are the tree’s leaves used for health purposes, the seed and the bark are as well. It’s basically one of the most reliable remedies around that you might not have even heard of! Read on and find out how this amazing herb can help you in our Top 5 Health Benefits of Neem!
1. Regulated blood sugar level
Neem extract and the seed’s oil have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity due to their containing flavonoids, triterpenoid, anti-viral compounds and glycosides which are high blood sugar-lowering compounds in diabetics.
2. Better gastric health
The consumption of neem -or mimba- has been directly connected with a reduction in inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract as well, so it can help you with bloating, stomach flu or even with cramps. However the leaves do have a very bitter taste, so drinking it as a tea could be too strong for you -taking it in capsule form is the preferred way by many.
3. Smoother skin
Neem leaves have antibacterial properties which is why they work wonders on infections, burns and any other kind of skin problems. This is definitely an ingredient you want to have in your skin products. Even better, if you can get your hands on some leaves or the neem oil itself, just use that directly on your skin. It will help reduce the inflammation on your skin and your scars to heal faster, it works great on eczema as well.
4. Oral health
In India, it’s been used as a very popular ingredient in oral health products (eg. toothpaste, mouthwashes etc) for many years now thanks to its potent antibacterial qualities. But now you can also find these products in the UK, so look out for them in your favourite health stores next time you go shopping!
5. Anti…everything! (well almost)
Neem is not only antibacterial, it’s also antifungal, antiviral and antimutagen. Therefore it’s a powerful curative for many illnesses like regular fevers and even malaria. It’s also been linked to the reduction of developing certain types of cancer and other chronic diseases.
Neem seems like a wonder plant doesn’t it? It’s the classic herb for optimum year-round health. Be aware however that you may experience some side effects if you consume too much of it, and in certain cases, it also could be toxic to children. Please consult your doctor or qualified herbalist if in any doubt. Have you tried neem before? Let us know what your experience has been below or @ KeepfitKingdom !
